Hibiscus plant named Maui Sunset

ABSTRACT

A Hibiscus plant named Maui Sunset particularly characterized by its bright orange flower color, semi-double flower form, excellent pot habit, resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot, good flower production, ease of rooting cuttings, flower life of a single day, medium sized leaves with a slightly serrated edge, and durability as a landscape subject.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus,botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., and referred to by thecultivar name Maui Sunset. The new cultivar was previously identified as86X04001, and is a product of a mutation induction program which had theobjective of creating new hibiscus cultivars that would expand the colorrange of an existing cultivar while retaining all other traits.

Maui Sunset is a spontaneous mutation and was discovered and selected byFrank C. Moser on Feb. 15, 1986 as one flowering branch of a largelandscape hibiscus tree planted around the main office of the TechnicalBusiness Group of Yoder Brothers, Inc., Alva, Fla. The parent cultivaris Anderson's Double Yellow Red.

The first asexual reproduction of Maui Sunset was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial plant selection on Jan.5, 1987 in Fort Myers, Fla. from a plant grown outside in ground beds,by technicians working under formulations established and supervised byFrank C. Moser.

Horticultural examinations of controlled flowerings of successivegenerations of plants derived from cuttings taken from the originalselection have shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Maui Sunset are fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Maui Sunset has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variation inenvironment such as temperature and light intensity.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsthat were grown in Fort Myers, Fla. in a controlled greenhouseenvironment and following a commercial schedule.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Maui Sunset, which, in combination,distinguish this Hibiscus as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Bright orange semi-double flower.

2. Excellent pot habit.

3. Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot.

4. Good flower production.

5. Ease of rooting cuttings.

6. Flower life is a single day.

7. Medium sized leaves with slightly serrated edge.

8. Durability as a landscape subject.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical habit, flower andleaf characteristics of Maui Sunset, with colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Maui Sunset grown as a commerciallyfinished pot plant.

Sheet 2 is a color photograph illustrating the distinctivecharacteristics of the upper and lower surfaces of the flower.

Sheet 3 is a color photograph showing the variation in leaf shape thatcan characteristically be found on any one plant of Maui Sunset.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Maui Sunset is the parent cultivar Anderson's DoubleYellow Red. All traits of Maui Sunset are similar to those of Anderson'sDouble Yellow Red except for flower color, which in Maui Sunset isbright orange shading to pink at the base of the petals, whileAnderson's Double Yellow Red is bright red.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color readings were taken fromgreenhouse grown plants on Oct. 15, 1987. All readings were taken in anoffice under cool white fluorescent lights, facing a west window betweenthe hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Classification:

Botanical.--Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis L. cv. Maui Sunset.

Commercial.--Greenhouse pot crop.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Flower (General):

Size.--Medium, 14 cm.

Borne.--In axils of leaves, 1 per node.

Form.--Semi-double.

Life.--1 day.

Fragrance.--None.

Blooming habit.--Continuously, year round.

B. Corolla (Petals):

Texture.--Smooth, veins slightly raised.

Substance.--Medium thick.

Shape.--Variable.

Color (fully open).--Upper surface: Veins -- Orange 30A-32A. Interveinal-- Orange 33C. Base of petals -- Pink 52C. Lower surface: Peach 32D to33D (right 2/3); left 1/3 is yellow 16D; base of petal is pink 52D.

C. Bud (1 day prior to opening):

Size.--6 cm in length.

Shape.--Ovate, rounded.

D. Calyx: Cup shaped, 5 pointed lobes, a single prominent midvein perlobe, membranous

Length.--4 cm.

Color.--Green 143A-143B.

E. Epicalyx: 6-8 pointed, narrow, sword-shaped bracts

Length.--2-2.5 cm.

Color.--Dark green 137B.

F. Peduncle:

Length.--3-5 cm.

Strength.--Medium.

Aspect.--Smooth.

Color.--Green 144B.

G. Reproductive organs:

(1) Androecium (stamens).--Anthers: Numerous. Filaments: Length 6 mm.Pollen: Medium, Color is yellow 15A. Staminal column: Length 7 cm, Colorwhite, Upper 30% antheriferous. Lower 70% petaloid.

(2) Gynoecium (pistil).--Stigma: 5 in number, rounded, discoid, hairy.Color: Orange 33A. Style: Length 8.5 cm, Color white. Branches: 5 innumber, color yellow 6D. Ovary: Cylindrical, elongate, rarelyfunctional. Color green 145D.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

A. Foliage:

Arrangement.--Alternate.

Shape.--Juvenile: Entire. Mature: Entire, cordate, serrated edge. Color:Dark green 139A.

Petiole.--Length 3.5-6 cm, Aspect smooth. Color: Green 143B.

Stipules.--2 per node, Shape acicular (needle shaped). Color: Green143B.

B. Stems: Aspect smooth, becoming woody with age.

C. Plant habit: Semi-compact.

D. Breaking action: Good.

E. Rooting: Good.

F. Growth regulator: Required.

G. Low light bud initiation: Fair.

H. Shipping tolerance: Good.

J. Landscape potential: Excellent.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis namedMaui Sunset, as illustrated and described, and parts thereof.